Theater ReviewMarch 25, 2014 Road Show by Betty Mohr With Road Show, Gary Griffin comes as close as any director ever has of making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. He has taken a show that has failed three times before and turned it into a gem of a musical at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by John Weidman, the show originated in 1999 as Wise Guys, then became Gold, and then turned up again in 2003 as Bounce at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Now, it’s been revised once more to Road Show. The one-act production centers on the Mizner Brothers—Addison (1872-1933) and Wilson (1876-1933)--who, encouraged by their dying father to take advantage of every opportunity, start their journey across America with gold mining in the Yukon. The boys succeed and lose, succeed again, and lose again. They argue, fight, and separate. Addison ends up in Florida where he designs grand homes and develops land in Boca Raton. Wilson ends up gambling, marrying for money, and rushing into get-rich-quick schemes. The reason that Road Show has had such a rocky path in the past may have something to do with its lack-of-suspense, slice-of-life story. And while Sondheim’s witty lyrics are on display, and the highlight song is the glorious, melodic, and moving “You’re the Best Thing That Has Ever Happened to Me,” this isn’t his best musical score. But, this is where Griffin comes in. Mounting the production in the small jewel-box upstairs theater at Chicago Shakespeare gives the show, which was overwhelmed by previous stagings in large-scale proscenium venues, a greater intimacy. Moreover, with Scott Davis’s ramp platform and world-map set, Michael Mahler’s musical direction, Matt Deitchman’s piano, and ensemble performers playing a variety of instruments, an immediacy is created in which theatergoers can feel close up and personal to the action taking place right in front of them. Of greatest importance, though, is Griffin’s choice of Michael Aaron Lindner to play the lead part of Addison. Lindner is the extraordinary driving force of the show, bringing a golden voice and a sensitive thoughtfulness to the role that is fiercely intense, heartfelt and compelling. Andrew Rothenberg also delivers a fine portrait as Wilson. With slick dark hair and a smooth-talking manner, Rothenberg is convincing as the con-artist brother who keeps bringing Addison down. Other wonderful contributors to the musical include the always charming Larry Adams as the father, Robert Lenzi as the honest young man who becomes Addison’s lover, Derek Hasenstab in a variety of businessmen roles, and Anne Gunn as the mother. Sondheim’s determination and effort in reworking the show bears some resemblance to the devotion of his main character's continuous search for the road to success. One hopes that Sondheim is finally satisfied as the opening-night audience of this Road Show gave the show its approval with a hearty round of applause. Road ShowWhen: Through May 4, 2014Where: Chicago Shakespeare Upstairs Theater on Navy Pier, ChicagoTickets: $49-$68Information: Call 312.595.5600 or visit www.chicagoshakes.com